Park just edged out in the Cup
Winnington under 12s were narrowly defeated in a thrilling game of rugby by Bowdon in the quarter finals of the Cheshire Cup.

A terrific game of rugby between two good evenly matched sides eventually went the way of Bowdon.

As usual Park got off to a slow start and missed tackles meant that Bowdon raced into a 12-0 lead.
The first try came as the Bowdon scrum half (who had a very good game) broke from deep inside his own half and set off on a mazy run evading some poor attempted tackles by Park to set up the score which was converted.

Park were dominating possesion with the pack being very much on top of their opponents. However our backs were thwarted by some excellent Bowdon defence (I don't think they missed a tackle all day)

From a penalty in their own half Bowdon again made a break and scored from deep, helped by some more poor tackling. The conversion was missed.

Half Time 0-12

The second half followed a similar pattern, only this time Park had more of the territory as well as the possesion, and spent the majority of the period deep in the Bowdon half. Callumm Harrison scored a try from the back of a ruck which Michael Luty converted. Game on!

Park gave everything in a attempt to score, but Bowdon defended really well. Park thought they had scored as Callum touched down again although the ref ruled it out much to our surprise, and Bowdon held on for the win.

The boys played really well, particularly in the second half. They didn't really get the "rub of the green", and can perhaps count themselves a little unlucky to lose. However, that is the nature of the game, and these things even themselves out over the course of a season.
We will certainly win far more games than we lose with the ability and spirit that we have.

Thank you to the parents and coaches from Bowdon for their sprtsmanship, and to the players who were a credit to their club. We wish them all the best in their semi final against Chester .

We now play Lymm in the semi final of the Cheshire Bowl.

Final score 7-12

By Simon Bytheway | Monday 14th February 2011